Bearing for spindles and the like



Nov. 2, 1948. D.'su| 1=R1z|c v BEARING FOR SPINDLES AND THE LIKE` Filed April l2. 1945 INVENTOR. D. 5w. PR/z/O ATTORNEY Patented` Nov. 2, i948 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEARING FOR SPINDLES AND THE LIKE Denia sulpnzio, oakland, Calif. `Application April 12, 1945, Serial No. 587,956

This invention relates to a new principle and improvements rin bearings and particularly to a bearing construction useful to support a spindle in a lathe, drill press, boring mill, milling machine or the like. The `bearing is not limited in use or application to any of these machines, being suitable for use onvany rotatable devi-ce. It is, however, of particular utility when employed on a spindle shaft which must be rotated at high speed and with considerable accuracy.` I will therefore describe it in this connection although it is not limited to this use for, as I have .pointed out, the bearing is useful to support any `shaft or rotatable element for rotation with respect to a fixed support.

In the operation of machine tools a spindle is utilized to rotate a tool, for example, to cut, grind or drill a cooperatively positioned piece of work to a -desired extent. When extreme accuracy is necessary, the mounting of the spindle for rotation presents @a definite problem.` Further, in operationpthe spindle Iand `means employed to mount the spindle for rotation must be examined frequently to insure that undue wear has not occurred for this will Idestroy the accuracy of the machine operation.

The spindle construction of the .present invention includes the provision on the spindle of at least two Iconical ibearing members cooperatively positioned with respect to one another and rotatable in suitable supporting :bearing members one of which is slidable and is normally urged into engagement with the conical bearing surfaces. The positive bias provided4 upon the bearing members is controllably released during spindle rotation byforcing a fluid against the members to overcome the applied bias to a `controlled extent. By regulating the applied pressure of the fiuid, the bearing support for the spindle can Vbe maintained at that point where the spindle rotates with a desired degree of freedom. The clearance lbetween the bearing on the spindle and the support thereforis thus Vself-adjustingand is independent of the temperature of the structure. The initial clearance is controlled by adjusting the applied lo-ias; when fluid pressure is applied, the correct clearance is provided at any speed for the clearance is a function of the applied bias 'and is independent of the spindle speed. The fluid forced lagainst the bearing member passes between each bearing surface and its -cooperative bearing member. Thus, the spindle, in effect, floats on a lm of the fluid. `Wear is thus minimized if any occurs, itis automatically compensated. f

6 Claims. (Cl. 308-70) Y It is in general the broad `object of the present invention to provi-de 4a new principle and an improved bearing con-struction. l

A further object of the present invention is t `provide a novel bearing support for aspindle or like rotatable structure.

An additional object is to providefan improved spindle construction.

The invention includes other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will appear hereinafter, wherein a bearing embodying the present invention is dis- Iclosed as a support for a spindle. In the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof Figure 1 `is a side elevation partly in section through the spindle and the bearing. Fig-ure 2 is a transverse `-section through the device illustrated in Figure 1 and taken along `the line 2-2.

Referring to the drawing, numeral 6 indicates a suitable casing -or housing structure. As this is shown in the drawing, it appears vas a separate unit.` However, it can be a hea-dst-ock in a lathe or the spindle support in a -drill press, boring mill or milling machine or other shaft support; or, `in some cases, the shaft can Ibe `station-ary and the casing can rotate. The casing` includes a central passage 1, through which a shaft or a spindle generally indicated at 8 extends. This spindle can take any desired form and in the drawing I have shown a generally solid spindle having a tapered end 9 to receive a driven elenient such as a p-ulley or sprocket, the latter being locked in place by a nut (not shown) secured on threads 1| I. At its other end I have shown tool receiving andati-.aching means in` the form of -a tapered recess I5; this means sired form. l l

Adjacent each end of the spindle, a bearing structure 64 is provided, each structure providing a bearing support vfor spindle 8 from one another to provide in effect, on the spindle, two truncated conical frustrumsthe bases of which are in abutment. The Icasing 6 is recessed at each end as at l5 and lin this recess are `mounted bearing memcan take any -de-` ai-r, water or other fluid.

opposition of springs 41.

bearing member has 'a peripheral groove 84 with n a plurality of passages 86 extending inwardly to release fluid between the members I? and I8 and controllably move them apart topr'ovide the desired iit between members AI'I and I8 andbearings I2 and I4. The maximum clearance between them is controlled by adjustment of lock ring V22,' member I8 only being slideable in member l'I until'it abuts the locking rings. This enables equal uid application to. lbe `made to several bearings from a singleffcuidpressure source. By

adjusting theiiuid pressure onefcan regulate` ythe freedom in the bearings andthe ease of rotation of the spindle 8. One can use Vanysuitable fluid but a good lubricant-,isl preferablyemployed, although, depending upon the use, one can'employ Fluid 'throwers 31 are preferably positioned adjacent veach endi of each Ybearing if a liquid is einployed as `the fluid, since it is ldesirable that the spindle does not rotate in a body ,of liquid.

-Fluid passing from each bearing is removed through passages 32 and outlet 32A. To Aseal the casing a ring, 33 is screwed into eachjend thereof. A collarris' screwed yon each end -of the spindle and is; retained in place bya locknut 35. A pluralitynofxlabyrinth grooves Si are provided between each collar 34 and its associated ring l-33 to prevent fluid leakage from `the casing.

To take care `of end thrust on the spindle, a similar bearingconstruction can be employed. In this case, a ring 4I is provided with va shoulder invention. For example, in a spindle intended for only a light load application, it may not be necessary to include the thrust bearing or only one of the fluid actuated bearings need be incorporated, a roller bearing, needle bearing, or other type of bearing being employed to support the other end of the spindle shaft. The conical bearings I2 and I4 need not face outwardly one from the otherfor, if desired, they may face each other, in which case the bearings, 64 and bearing members II or I8 are reversed, the iiuid application being on the outer faces of the bearing members to force them away from the bearing surf-aces, the springs being provided between the 422;'at'one'end, the ring being slideable into place yagainst a shoulderlil on the casing and retained in place by screw 43. Airing 44 is positioned on `the spindle and on one side abuts the shoulder d'2.. The other side of ring 4,4 is engaged by slideable ringv i6 urged by springs 4-1 'toward the `ring `IILl A lock ring 48;, fashioned and adjustable like ring 23, ven-ables the bias on the ring 44 to be adjusted. Ringlll is grooved asatl and a plurality ofv passages 52` admit fluid to between the shoulder 42and ring 46 to controlthe bias thrust Fluid passing Athe thrustbearing is releasedr through passages 32,

lthrow `3i being provided to drain liquid from the shaft. Fluid under pressure Ican thus be applied to the thrust bearing to control the extent of pressure exerted by slideable ring `i65- against the ringi-Z on the spindle.

The several elements can be formed 'integral with the spindle butin the form shown, the lef-t hand endof the spindle is reducedinA diameter, as at 9B, and thrower 3|, spacer 9 I, `ring 44,` spacer 92, thrower 3l, -conical bearings I2 and i4 and thrower 3| are slipped on, in the order recited, and are reta-ined in place by collar- 34 and ,nut 3-5. The same construction is, ineffect, employed at the right hand end of the machine, thrower 3i., bearings I2 and I4 `and a thrower 3|l being retained in place in like manner.

The spindle described can be modified in variyout ways without departingv from-the spirit ofthe bearing members to oppose the fluidv application.

v1-.l In combination, a shaft, a pair of conical bearing members positioned adjacent each other on said shaft and each having a conical bearing face thereon extending at an angle to the other conical' bearing face of ther-other member and to thelongitudinal axis ofsaid shaft, a first bearingfmember cooperatively positioned with resp ect to one` of:saidconical-bearing. members, a second bearingmember cooperatively positioned with respect tothe other-ofsaid-.conicalbearing member-sj and slideablyl mounted in substantially fluidv tight engagement with said firs-t bearing member; means. for limiting-sliding movement of said 'second meinberi-n .sa-id -rst member, means positively urging said `rst and; second bearing members to engage said conical'bearing members, and means for adinittinglfluid under pressure between said rstand saidsecond, `bearing members to oppose the positive urging means ,andy toslide said second member withrespec-t tosaidfirst member to control the engagement between said first and second kmembers, and s aid` lconical bearing: Amembers. v

2. In combination, a shaft, a pair of c-onical 'b earingmembers positioned .adjacent each other 4on said-shaft, each member being.,V in the form of ya, truncated yffrustum of acone,said members .being in abutment` along thatv surface corresponding `to the base of each frustum and .each having a bearing face thereon-.extending at v4an obtuse angle to rtlfieother conical bearing face of the other member andto the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a 4first bearing member .cooperatively positioned with *respect` to onecof said conicalbearing members, a secondy bearing member cooperatively.positioned withcrespect tothe other Iof said .conical bearingmembers. and slideably` mounted in said --rst bearing member lin substantially iiuidtight vengagenlent therewith, means urging-said iirstandsecond bearing ymember together and intoengagement with said conical bearing mem'beraand` means. for admitting liuid under pressure-between said bearing members to.opposeithe-urgingmeans and to s lide'said secondl Vmember on Vsaid rst`..member .to` control engagement betweensaidmembers and said-conical bearing. members.`

3. In combination,-a shaft, a pair of. @9m-03,1 bearingmembers positioned` adj acent .each other on said shaft, eaohmeniber'beingfin .the form of a ytruncated frustumof a cone, said-.members being in4 abutment -alongI that` surface corresponding to the baseof each-conicalfrusturn andreach,K having a bearing -iacefthereon extending -at an-obtuse tively positioned with respect to the other of said conical bearing members and slideably mounted in said first bearing member in substantially fluidtight engagement therewith, a locking ring screwed into said rst member to limit travel of said second member, a plurality of springs between said ring and said second member urging said second member away from ring, and a fluid passage through said first member for admitting fluid under pressure between said members to oppose the urge of said springs and to slide said second member on said rst member to control engagement between said members and said conical bearing members,

4. In combination, a shaft, a pair of conical bearing members positioned adjacent each other on said shaft and each having a conical bearing face thereon extending at an angle to the other conical bearing face of the other member and to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a'frst bearing member cooperatively positioned with respect to one of said conical bearing members, a second bearing member cooperatively positioned with respect to the other of said conical bearing members and slideably mounted inl a substantially iiuidtight engagement with said first bearing member, a locking ring screwed into said first member to limit travel of said second member, a plurality of springs between sai-d ring and said second member urging said second member away from ring, and a iiuid passage through said rst member for admitting fluid under pressure between said members to oppose the urge of said springs and to slide said second member with respect to said first member to control the engagement between said first and second members and said conical bearing members.

5. In combination, a housing, a shaft in said housing, a plurality of bearing structures for supporting said shaft in said housing, each of said structures comprising a pair of conical bearing members positioned adjacent each other on said shaft and each having a conical bearing face thereon extending at an angle to the other conical bearing face of the other member and to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a first bearing member cooperatively positioned with respect to one of said conical bearing members, a second bearing member cooperatively positioned with respect to the other of said conical bearing members and slideably mounted in substantially iiuidtight engagement with said first member, means for limiting sliding movement Number of said second member in said first member, means positively urging said rst and second bearing members to engage said conical bearing members, and means for admitting fluid under pressure to between said bearing members to oppose the positive urging means and to slide said second member with respect to said rst member to control the engagement between said first and second members and said conical bearing members.

6. In combination, a housing, a shaft, a pair of conical bearing members positioned adjacent each other on said shaft and each having a conical bearing face thereon extending at an angle to the other conical bearing face of the other member and to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a first bearing member in said housing cooperatively positioned with respect to one of' said conical bearing members, a second bearing member cooperatively positioned with respect to the other of said conical bearing members and slideably mounted in a substantially fluidtight engagement in said housing, means for limiting sliding movement of said second member in said housing, means positively urging said first and second bearing members to engage said conical, bearing members, and means for admitting iiuid under pressure to between said bearing members to oppose the positive urging means and to slide said second member with respect to said housing to control the engagement between said first and second members and said conical bearing memv bElS DEUTA SULPRIZIO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Abbott Apr. 2G, 1920 Norton Nov. 6, 1928 De Vlieg Sept. 26, 1933 Norton Oct. 17, 1933 Fletcher Dec. 19, 1933 Rickenmann Nov. 27, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Sept. 1, 1924 France Feb. 3. 1923 Number 

